From Our Salesian Graduates of 2026
Enjoy selections from Salesian Speeches
Bridey Lawler ’26, President of the Class of 2026, DeSales University
I want to begin with a simple truth: for many of us, the path that brought us here wasn’t perfectly planned. Some of us weren’t even sure this was where we would end up. We had doubts, questions, and different ideas about what our future might look like.
But somewhere along the way, something changed.
We found a place that challenged us, supported us, and ultimately shaped us. But more importantly, we found a community.
Not just a community in name—but one built on values that are lived out every day. Values like gentleness, humility, gratitude, hospitality, and wisdom…Read More
Read more about DSU Commencement: "A Community Built on Values Lived Every Day": DeSales Celebrates Its 57th Commencement
Jayden Barry, St. Francis de Sales School
After an unexpected life event. I found myself to be a sophomore with a lack of faith in myself and impatience with the Lord. But the Lord knew I needed to learn for myself and not from another’s understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. I was lucky to be selected into the course called Leadership in the Salesian Tradition, where in addition to learning about how St. Francis de Sales approached leadership, each student spends much of their time journaling and reflecting on themselves. St. Francis de Sales wrote “So do not wish to be anything but what you are.” which felt to me as if he was directly calling me out…Read More
Christopher Di Pasquale, Father Judge High School
As we leave, I want to recall the values and virtues we have learned called the “Salesian Seven.” First, be grateful. Don’t take this moment for granted. Enjoy it. Thank all of those who have helped you on your journey throughout life so far.
Second, always remember that you are a part of Judge. Be proud of the fact that you are now part of a brotherhood that includes over 28,000 men who have gone before us. Also, maintain the friendship that you have formed here.
Finally, live every day well. One of the mottos we learned at Judge is to live everyday well. Make this Salesian teaching part of your everyday life. Do your best and enjoy everything you set out to do…Read More
Abraham Castellano, Salesianum School,
As St. Francis de Sales wrote, “Hearts that can bend will never be broken.” We get through it together. And that’s what makes Salesianum, Salesianum. Look around the room. What would this all mean, these four years of Sallies, this graduation, if we didn’t have each other to share it with? What could be more priceless than walking out together in a few minutes, and hugging the people that got us here, our moms, our dads, our grandmas, and our grandpas -- and of course, the brothers who have been through this together.
God did not create us to be alone, but to be relational and social - to share our lives and our stories with one another out of love… Read More
Henry Motsch,
St. Francis de Sales School, 8th Grade Advancement
St. Francis de Sales wrote that we walk with God in two ways. The first is like a child holding his Father's hand, matching his steps to God's, going where God leads. The second is like a child who is simply carried in his mother's arms, no longer walking at all, just resting and trusting completely.
I think that is exactly what the brotherhood here looks like. Most of the time, we walk alongside each other, hand in hand. We show up for each other at practice, in the classroom, in the hallway. But there are harder moments, when someone cannot walk on their own anymore, and that is when the brotherhood steps in and carries them… Read More